Like Therese said, so much of this depends on the individual judge, but over all I think the look leans towards fat dogs. I've watched a number of dog shows on TV and I haven't seen a dog that I would consider to be "in shape" in a long time.

I gave my mom the official AKC dog breed book two years ago for Christmas (her 1970 edition disappeared somewhere) and even the dogs in there are mostly tubby.

That said, "skinny" is very subjective and pictures can be very deceiving. I got tons of crap over a horrible picture of Riggs a while ago, and he was the almost the exact same weight as another picture that I got tons of compliments on.

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

I have only shown in small shows around here. Now I dont know if this is true or not but a lot of people get in with the judges and thats how horrible dogs get placed. And in the even larger shows its all about the money... judges getting paid off and what not. True or rumors?

Tina
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mick and Christine! We love you both!

RIP my precious Noah! You are greatly missed and still so loved!!! 7-12-06-- 2-21-07
RIP Abby! I always loved you!

I remember going to a Fred Lanting seminar about a year ago and he showed pictures of some dogs and commented their structure/gait etc. There was one picture of a some kind of gray terrier that he judged in Australia that won in that show and he said that the dog's angulation wasn't good considering the historical purpose of the breed, but since it was just a beauty contest, the dog won (I guess he was the best out of the bunch). It's too sad that fads and politics play such a big part in conformation shows that a lot of the times it really is simply a beauty contest.

I am surprised that this is the trend. I put Cassie in a show last summer, she was about a year old, and I was told she is too fat by several Irish breeders. I went back to her breeders and they said she is fine, but that for serious showing, she needed to lose at least 5-7 lbs b/c the trend is toward the ultra-lean look. Now Michele has seen Cassie recently, and I don't think she would say Cassie is fat.

the dogs I've seen here at the few shows I've been to looked pretty fit to me I wonder if this is an American thing?

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

SassyCassie wrote:I am surprised that this is the trend. I put Cassie in a show last summer, she was about a year old, and I was told she is too fat by several Irish breeders. I went back to her breeders and they said she is fine, but that for serious showing, she needed to lose at least 5-7 lbs b/c the trend is toward the ultra-lean look. Now Michele has seen Cassie recently, and I don't think she would say Cassie is fat.

As for the people showing..............im not throwing stones.

Be Careful.. there is a "Michelle says my dog is fat club" here.. Ask Layla!

SassyCassie wrote:I am surprised that this is the trend. I put Cassie in a show last summer, she was about a year old, and I was told she is too fat by several Irish breeders. I went back to her breeders and they said she is fine, but that for serious showing, she needed to lose at least 5-7 lbs b/c the trend is toward the ultra-lean look. Now Michele has seen Cassie recently, and I don't think she would say Cassie is fat.

As for the people showing..............im not throwing stones.

Be Careful.. there is a "Michelle says my dog is fat club" here.. Ask Layla!

Layla lost another 4 pounds this month. Michelle just told me yesterday she's not fat anymore.

It all depends on the breed, but for Pit Bulls, generally 1-2 ribs showing, good musculature, easily seen / defined muscles, no "jiggle" when they move. Not necessarily "ripped" but definately well "toned"

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

and don't knock it just 'cause its Purina Its pretty standard, not like they came up with it or anything...

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

mnp13 wrote:I've seen that chart before, and it's a decent place to start, but since it doesn't account for breed I don't think it's really all that accurate.

I'd be very concerned about a Lab that you could see ribs on, but I expect to see ribs on a Pit.

Even then though...there are some labs, I'd want to see ribs...those tall skinny labs, like Earl. Not Sacha.

I use the hand guide for my puppy raisers...easy and fun. Hold your hand out palm down. Run your hand over the knuckles (where your fingers meet your hand). That's what a proper weight on a dog should feel like when you run your hand down their spine. Now flip your hand over, and feel the same knuckles. Feel that pad of flesh? That compares to a dog's spine when the dog is overweight. Now turn your hand back over, and make a fist. Feel the same knuckles. Feel how bony they are? That would be like a dog that is underweight.

Especially a nice thing when your dogs have FUR, and you can't see ribs. (I'm not shaving mine down to prove that they have ribs showing!) Though Rip is now a little more than just furry Fluffy.

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw